FHSU University Relations
One of the most popular pieces of American literature turned into a play, the most popular musical of all time and a special off-series Christmas event headline the 2014-2015 season of the Encore Performing Arts Series at Fort Hays State University.
“If you loved last season, wait until you see what we have in store this year,” said Vince Bowhay, chair of the special events committee. “Patrons should expect to be see Broadway-caliber performances right here on the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center stage. Also, patrons should expect to purchase tickets early, as several shows will sell out this year.”
Bowhay said there is a show for all audiences in this year’s series. The season will open with the Julie Fowlis: “Music of the Scottish Isles.” Fowlis is best known for performing the voice of Princess Merida on the soundtrack to the Disney/Pixar movie “Brave.” Additional shows include “Mamma Mia!,” “The Great Gatsby” and a special off-season event, the group Rockapella, who will delight audiences with acapella holiday tunes.
All performances for the 2014-2015 season start at 7:30 p.m. in Sheridan Hall’s Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the FHSU campus.
Julie Fowlis: “Music of the Scottish Isles,” Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014
Brought up on North Uist in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, Fowlis has been a proud standard bearer for Gaelic music and culture over the course of a solo career that has spanned three award-winning studio albums and numerous highly acclaimed projects and collaborations. Fowlis was featured on the soundtrack for Disney/Pixar’s “Brave.” This event is sponsored by Best Western Butterfield Inn.
The White City Ballet, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014
Loosely based on the book “The Devil In The White City” by Erik Larson, Thodos Dance Chicago will perform the story of the legendary 1893 World’s Fair through dance. Characters portrayed range from Mayor Carter Harrison; Harrison’s assassin, Patrick Prendergast; John Root, one of the key architects of the Chicago World’s Fair; and Dr. H.H. Holmes, the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death in his elaborately constructed Murder Castle.
“Anything Goes,” Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014
When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention get tossed out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love, proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail. This event is sponsored by Nex-Tech.
Rockapella, off-season event on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014
From unexpected takes on classic favorites to brand new originals destined to be classics, audiences can expect to be tickled and touched by a holiday performance like no other. The acapella group’s appearance is sponsored by the FHSU Foundation.
“Mamma Mia!,” Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015
On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s songs propels this tale of love, laughter and friendship. This event is sponsored by Todd and Andrea Sandoval.
Montana Repertory Theatre presents “The Great Gatsby,” Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015
Watch the rise and fall of the notorious Jay Gatsby and the alluring and dangerous Daisy Buchanan presented by one of the nation’s premier touring companies. This event is sponsored by Cedar Lodge Dental Group.
The Hunts, Tuesday, March 3, 2015
These seven brothers and sisters bring to the stage an amazing chemistry and powerful presence. Their songs are driven by violin, acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, mandolin, accordion, ukulele, piano, and rounded out with crisp harmonies. This event is sponsored by High Plains Public Radio.
“The Intergalactic Nemesis: Live-Action Graphic Novel,” Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Inspired by “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Star Wars,” “The Intergalactic Nemesis” is a one-of-a-kind mash-up of radio drama and comic book adventure. Three actors voice dozens of characters. A Foley artist creates hundreds of sound effects, a keyboardist performs a score while more than 1,250 individual, full-color, hand-drawn, high-resolution comic book images are projected on an enormous screen. This event is sponsored by Chartwells.
Presidio Brass: “Sounds of the Cinema,” Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Through their touring show of Hollywood’s greatest hits, “Sounds of the Cinema,” these five young men present film music with a good dose of wit and humor that together have become hallmarks of every Presidio Brass performance.
Season tickets for the 2014-2015 Encore Performing Arts Series are now on sale. FHSU students, seniors and youths all receive discounts. For more information, call the Student Service Center at (785) 628-5306 or visit www.fhsu.edu/encore.